Exactly, it's the greed of the big brewers and the Exchequer. If a round of drinks for five is the same as the price of a cd..what's the choice? And you can't even have a decent conversation anymore in most pubs for the noise of the TV/Jukebox etc. It's just not worth the money for what isn't a very pleasant experience, particularly if you're not young, out on the hunt, or teetotal. (soft drinks cost more than petrol by the litre)